Hands-on_Exercise 2a: 1st Order Spatial Point Patterns Analysis Methods

Author

Ho Zi Jun

Published

August 28, 2024

Modified

October 17, 2024

1 Spatial Point Pattern Analysis

1.1 Overview

Spatial Point Pattern Analysis is the evaluation of the pattern or distribution, of a set of points on a surface. The point can be locations of:

  • events such as crime, traffic accidents and disease onset, or
  • business services (coffee and fast food outlets) or facilities such as childcare and elder care centres.

By using appropriate functions of spatstat, this hands-on exercise aims to discover the spatial point processes of childcare centres in Singapore.

The specific questions that will be answered in this hands-on exercise are as follows:

  • are the childcare centres in Singapore randomly distributed throughout the country?
  • if the answer is no, then the next logical question is where are the locations with higher a concentration of childcare centres?

1.2 The data

To investigate for the answers for questions above, three data sets will be used. They are:

  • CHILDCARE, a point feature data providing both location and attribute information of childcare centres. It is downloaded from Data.gov.sg and is in geojson format.
  • MP14_SUBZONE_WEB_PL, a polygon feature data providing information of URA 2014 Master Plan Planning Subzone boundary data. It is in ESRI shapefile format. This data set is also downloaded from Data.gov.sg.
  • CostalOutline, a polygon feature data showing the national boundary of Singapore. It is provided by SLA and is in ESRI shapefile format.

1.3 Installing and Loading the R packages

In this hands-on exercise, five R packages will be used, they are:

  • sf, a relatively new R package specially designed to import, manage and process vector-based geospatial data in R.
  • spatstat, which has a wide range of useful functions for point pattern analysis. In this hands-on exercise, it will be used to perform 1st- and 2nd-order spatial point patterns analysis and derive kernel density estimation (KDE) layer.
  • raster which reads, writes, manipulates, analyses and model of gridded spatial data (i.e. raster). In this hands-on exercise, it will be used to convert image output generate by spatstat into raster format.
  • maptools which provides a set of tools for manipulating geographic data (Note: Package ‘maptools’ was removed from the CRAN repository). In this hands-on exercise, we mainly use it to convert Spatial objects into ppp format of spatstat.
  • tmap which provides functions for plotting cartographic quality static point patterns maps or interactive maps by using leaflet API.

The code chunk below is used to install and launch the five R packages.

pacman::p_load(sf, sp, raster, spatstat, tmap, tidyverse)

1.4 Spatial Data Wrangling

1.4.1 Importing the spatial data

In this section, st_read() of sf package will be used to import these three geospatial data sets into R.

childcare_sf <- st_read("data/child-care-services-geojson.geojson") %>%
  st_transform(crs = 3414)
Reading layer `child-care-services-geojson' from data source 
  `C:\zjho008\ISSS626-GAA\Hands-on_Ex\Hands-on_Ex02\data\child-care-services-geojson.geojson' 
  using driver `GeoJSON'
Simple feature collection with 1545 features and 2 fields
Geometry type: POINT
Dimension:     XYZ
Bounding box:  xmin: 103.6824 ymin: 1.248403 xmax: 103.9897 ymax: 1.462134
z_range:       zmin: 0 zmax: 0
Geodetic CRS:  WGS 84
sg_sf <- st_read(dsn = "data", layer = "CostalOutline")
Reading layer `CostalOutline' from data source 
  `C:\zjho008\ISSS626-GAA\Hands-on_Ex\Hands-on_Ex02\data' using driver `ESRI Shapefile'
Simple feature collection with 60 features and 4 fields
Geometry type: POLYGON
Dimension:     XY
Bounding box:  xmin: 2663.926 ymin: 16357.98 xmax: 56047.79 ymax: 50244.03
Projected CRS: SVY21
mpsz_sf <- st_read(dsn = "data",
                layer = "MP14_SUBZONE_WEB_PL")
Reading layer `MP14_SUBZONE_WEB_PL' from data source 
  `C:\zjho008\ISSS626-GAA\Hands-on_Ex\Hands-on_Ex02\data' using driver `ESRI Shapefile'
Simple feature collection with 323 features and 15 fields
Geometry type: MULTIPOLYGON
Dimension:     XY
Bounding box:  xmin: 2667.538 ymin: 15748.72 xmax: 56396.44 ymax: 50256.33
Projected CRS: SVY21

Before using these data for analysis, it is important to ensure that they are projected in the same projection system.

DIY: Using the appropriate sf functions in previous Hands-on Exercise, the code chunk below retrieves the referencing system information of these geospatial data.

st_crs(childcare_sf)
Coordinate Reference System:
  User input: EPSG:3414 
  wkt:
PROJCRS["SVY21 / Singapore TM",
    BASEGEOGCRS["SVY21",
        DATUM["SVY21",
            ELLIPSOID["WGS 84",6378137,298.257223563,
                LENGTHUNIT["metre",1]]],
        PRIMEM["Greenwich",0,
            ANGLEUNIT["degree",0.0174532925199433]],
        ID["EPSG",4757]],
    CONVERSION["Singapore Transverse Mercator",
        METHOD["Transverse Mercator",
            ID["EPSG",9807]],
        PARAMETER["Latitude of natural origin",1.36666666666667,
            ANGLEUNIT["degree",0.0174532925199433],
            ID["EPSG",8801]],
        PARAMETER["Longitude of natural origin",103.833333333333,
            ANGLEUNIT["degree",0.0174532925199433],
            ID["EPSG",8802]],
        PARAMETER["Scale factor at natural origin",1,
            SCALEUNIT["unity",1],
            ID["EPSG",8805]],
        PARAMETER["False easting",28001.642,
            LENGTHUNIT["metre",1],
            ID["EPSG",8806]],
        PARAMETER["False northing",38744.572,
            LENGTHUNIT["metre",1],
            ID["EPSG",8807]]],
    CS[Cartesian,2],
        AXIS["northing (N)",north,
            ORDER[1],
            LENGTHUNIT["metre",1]],
        AXIS["easting (E)",east,
            ORDER[2],
            LENGTHUNIT["metre",1]],
    USAGE[
        SCOPE["Cadastre, engineering survey, topographic mapping."],
        AREA["Singapore - onshore and offshore."],
        BBOX[1.13,103.59,1.47,104.07]],
    ID["EPSG",3414]]
st_crs(sg_sf)
Coordinate Reference System:
  User input: SVY21 
  wkt:
PROJCRS["SVY21",
    BASEGEOGCRS["SVY21[WGS84]",
        DATUM["World Geodetic System 1984",
            ELLIPSOID["WGS 84",6378137,298.257223563,
                LENGTHUNIT["metre",1]],
            ID["EPSG",6326]],
        PRIMEM["Greenwich",0,
            ANGLEUNIT["Degree",0.0174532925199433]]],
    CONVERSION["unnamed",
        METHOD["Transverse Mercator",
            ID["EPSG",9807]],
        PARAMETER["Latitude of natural origin",1.36666666666667,
            ANGLEUNIT["Degree",0.0174532925199433],
            ID["EPSG",8801]],
        PARAMETER["Longitude of natural origin",103.833333333333,
            ANGLEUNIT["Degree",0.0174532925199433],
            ID["EPSG",8802]],
        PARAMETER["Scale factor at natural origin",1,
            SCALEUNIT["unity",1],
            ID["EPSG",8805]],
        PARAMETER["False easting",28001.642,
            LENGTHUNIT["metre",1],
            ID["EPSG",8806]],
        PARAMETER["False northing",38744.572,
            LENGTHUNIT["metre",1],
            ID["EPSG",8807]]],
    CS[Cartesian,2],
        AXIS["(E)",east,
            ORDER[1],
            LENGTHUNIT["metre",1,
                ID["EPSG",9001]]],
        AXIS["(N)",north,
            ORDER[2],
            LENGTHUNIT["metre",1,
                ID["EPSG",9001]]]]
st_crs(mpsz_sf)
Coordinate Reference System:
  User input: SVY21 
  wkt:
PROJCRS["SVY21",
    BASEGEOGCRS["SVY21[WGS84]",
        DATUM["World Geodetic System 1984",
            ELLIPSOID["WGS 84",6378137,298.257223563,
                LENGTHUNIT["metre",1]],
            ID["EPSG",6326]],
        PRIMEM["Greenwich",0,
            ANGLEUNIT["Degree",0.0174532925199433]]],
    CONVERSION["unnamed",
        METHOD["Transverse Mercator",
            ID["EPSG",9807]],
        PARAMETER["Latitude of natural origin",1.36666666666667,
            ANGLEUNIT["Degree",0.0174532925199433],
            ID["EPSG",8801]],
        PARAMETER["Longitude of natural origin",103.833333333333,
            ANGLEUNIT["Degree",0.0174532925199433],
            ID["EPSG",8802]],
        PARAMETER["Scale factor at natural origin",1,
            SCALEUNIT["unity",1],
            ID["EPSG",8805]],
        PARAMETER["False easting",28001.642,
            LENGTHUNIT["metre",1],
            ID["EPSG",8806]],
        PARAMETER["False northing",38744.572,
            LENGTHUNIT["metre",1],
            ID["EPSG",8807]]],
    CS[Cartesian,2],
        AXIS["(E)",east,
            ORDER[1],
            LENGTHUNIT["metre",1,
                ID["EPSG",9001]]],
        AXIS["(N)",north,
            ORDER[2],
            LENGTHUNIT["metre",1,
                ID["EPSG",9001]]]]

From the results above: Notice that except childcare_sf - EPSG:3414, both mpsz_sf and sg_sf - “EPSG”,9001 do not have the proper crs information.

DIY: Using the method learnt in previous hands-on exercise, attempt to assign the correct crs to mpsz_sf and sg_sf simple feature data frames.

DIY: If necessary, changing the referencing system to Singapore national projected coordinate system in context of the question.

1.4.1.1 Assigning EPSG code to a simple feature data frame

st_set_crs() of sf is used as shown in the code chunk below to assign the correct EPSG code to mpsz_sf and sg_sf data frame.

sg_sf <- st_set_crs(sg_sf, 3414)
Warning: st_crs<- : replacing crs does not reproject data; use st_transform for
that

Checking the CSR again by using the code chunk below.

st_crs(childcare_sf)
Coordinate Reference System:
  User input: EPSG:3414 
  wkt:
PROJCRS["SVY21 / Singapore TM",
    BASEGEOGCRS["SVY21",
        DATUM["SVY21",
            ELLIPSOID["WGS 84",6378137,298.257223563,
                LENGTHUNIT["metre",1]]],
        PRIMEM["Greenwich",0,
            ANGLEUNIT["degree",0.0174532925199433]],
        ID["EPSG",4757]],
    CONVERSION["Singapore Transverse Mercator",
        METHOD["Transverse Mercator",
            ID["EPSG",9807]],
        PARAMETER["Latitude of natural origin",1.36666666666667,
            ANGLEUNIT["degree",0.0174532925199433],
            ID["EPSG",8801]],
        PARAMETER["Longitude of natural origin",103.833333333333,
            ANGLEUNIT["degree",0.0174532925199433],
            ID["EPSG",8802]],
        PARAMETER["Scale factor at natural origin",1,
            SCALEUNIT["unity",1],
            ID["EPSG",8805]],
        PARAMETER["False easting",28001.642,
            LENGTHUNIT["metre",1],
            ID["EPSG",8806]],
        PARAMETER["False northing",38744.572,
            LENGTHUNIT["metre",1],
            ID["EPSG",8807]]],
    CS[Cartesian,2],
        AXIS["northing (N)",north,
            ORDER[1],
            LENGTHUNIT["metre",1]],
        AXIS["easting (E)",east,
            ORDER[2],
            LENGTHUNIT["metre",1]],
    USAGE[
        SCOPE["Cadastre, engineering survey, topographic mapping."],
        AREA["Singapore - onshore and offshore."],
        BBOX[1.13,103.59,1.47,104.07]],
    ID["EPSG",3414]]
mpsz_sf <- st_set_crs(mpsz_sf, 3414)
Warning: st_crs<- : replacing crs does not reproject data; use st_transform for
that
st_crs(mpsz_sf)
Coordinate Reference System:
  User input: EPSG:3414 
  wkt:
PROJCRS["SVY21 / Singapore TM",
    BASEGEOGCRS["SVY21",
        DATUM["SVY21",
            ELLIPSOID["WGS 84",6378137,298.257223563,
                LENGTHUNIT["metre",1]]],
        PRIMEM["Greenwich",0,
            ANGLEUNIT["degree",0.0174532925199433]],
        ID["EPSG",4757]],
    CONVERSION["Singapore Transverse Mercator",
        METHOD["Transverse Mercator",
            ID["EPSG",9807]],
        PARAMETER["Latitude of natural origin",1.36666666666667,
            ANGLEUNIT["degree",0.0174532925199433],
            ID["EPSG",8801]],
        PARAMETER["Longitude of natural origin",103.833333333333,
            ANGLEUNIT["degree",0.0174532925199433],
            ID["EPSG",8802]],
        PARAMETER["Scale factor at natural origin",1,
            SCALEUNIT["unity",1],
            ID["EPSG",8805]],
        PARAMETER["False easting",28001.642,
            LENGTHUNIT["metre",1],
            ID["EPSG",8806]],
        PARAMETER["False northing",38744.572,
            LENGTHUNIT["metre",1],
            ID["EPSG",8807]]],
    CS[Cartesian,2],
        AXIS["northing (N)",north,
            ORDER[1],
            LENGTHUNIT["metre",1]],
        AXIS["easting (E)",east,
            ORDER[2],
            LENGTHUNIT["metre",1]],
    USAGE[
        SCOPE["Cadastre, engineering survey, topographic mapping."],
        AREA["Singapore - onshore and offshore."],
        BBOX[1.13,103.59,1.47,104.07]],
    ID["EPSG",3414]]

1.4.2 Mapping the geospatial data sets

After checking the referencing system of each geospatial data data frame, it is also useful for us to plot a map to show their spatial patterns.

tm_shape(sg_sf) +
  tm_polygons() +
tm_shape(mpsz_sf) +
  tm_polygons() +
tm_shape(childcare_sf) +
  tm_dots()

Notice that all the geospatial layers are within the same map extend. This shows that their referencing system and coordinate values are referring to similar spatial context. This is very important in any geospatial analysis.

Alternatively, a pin map cna be prepared by using the code chunk below:

tmap_mode("view")
tmap mode set to interactive viewing
tm_shape(childcare_sf) +
  tm_dots()
tmap_mode("plot")
tmap mode set to plotting

Notice that in the interactive mode, tmap is using leaflet for R API. The advantage of this interactive pin map is that it allows user to navigate and zoom around the map freely. We can also query the information of each simple feature (i.e. the point) by clicking of them. Last but not least, we can also change the background of the internet map layer. Currently, three internet map layers are provided. They are: ESRI.WorldGrayCanvas, OpenStreetMap, and ESRI.WorldTopoMap. The default is ESRI.WorldGrayCanvas.

Reminder: Always remember to switch back to plot mode after the interactive map. This is because, each interactive mode will consume a connection. Displaying excessive numbers of interactive maps (i.e. not more than 10) in one RMarkdown document when publishing on Netlify should be avoided.

1.5 Geospatial Data Wrangling

Although simple feature data frame is gaining popularity again - sp’s Spatial classes, there are, however, many geospatial analysis packages requiring the input of geospatial data in sp’s Spatial classes. In this section, we will learn how to convert simple feature data frame to sp’s Spatial class.

1.5.1 Converting sf data frames to sp’s Spatial class

The code chunk below uses as_Spatial() of sf package to convert the three geospatial data from simple feature data frame to sp’s Spatial class.

childcare <- as_Spatial(childcare_sf)
mpsz <- as_Spatial(mpsz_sf)
sg <- as_Spatial(sg_sf)

Information on the three Spatial classes are shown in the code chunk below:

childcare
class       : SpatialPointsDataFrame 
features    : 1545 
extent      : 11203.01, 45404.24, 25667.6, 49300.88  (xmin, xmax, ymin, ymax)
crs         : +proj=tmerc +lat_0=1.36666666666667 +lon_0=103.833333333333 +k=1 +x_0=28001.642 +y_0=38744.572 +ellps=WGS84 +towgs84=0,0,0,0,0,0,0 +units=m +no_defs 
variables   : 2
names       :    Name,                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Description 
min values  :   kml_1, <center><table><tr><th colspan='2' align='center'><em>Attributes</em></th></tr><tr bgcolor="#E3E3F3"> <th>ADDRESSBLOCKHOUSENUMBER</th> <td></td> </tr><tr bgcolor=""> <th>ADDRESSBUILDINGNAME</th> <td></td> </tr><tr bgcolor="#E3E3F3"> <th>ADDRESSPOSTALCODE</th> <td>018989</td> </tr><tr bgcolor=""> <th>ADDRESSSTREETNAME</th> <td>1, MARINA BOULEVARD, #B1 - 01, ONE MARINA BOULEVARD, SINGAPORE 018989</td> </tr><tr bgcolor="#E3E3F3"> <th>ADDRESSTYPE</th> <td></td> </tr><tr bgcolor=""> <th>DESCRIPTION</th> <td></td> </tr><tr bgcolor="#E3E3F3"> <th>HYPERLINK</th> <td></td> </tr><tr bgcolor=""> <th>LANDXADDRESSPOINT</th> <td>0</td> </tr><tr bgcolor="#E3E3F3"> <th>LANDYADDRESSPOINT</th> <td>0</td> </tr><tr bgcolor=""> <th>NAME</th> <td>THE LITTLE SKOOL-HOUSE INTERNATIONAL PTE. LTD.</td> </tr><tr bgcolor="#E3E3F3"> <th>PHOTOURL</th> <td></td> </tr><tr bgcolor=""> <th>ADDRESSFLOORNUMBER</th> <td></td> </tr><tr bgcolor="#E3E3F3"> <th>INC_CRC</th> <td>08F73931F4A691F4</td> </tr><tr bgcolor=""> <th>FMEL_UPD_D</th> <td>20200826094036</td> </tr><tr bgcolor="#E3E3F3"> <th>ADDRESSUNITNUMBER</th> <td></td> </tr></table></center> 
max values  : kml_999,                  <center><table><tr><th colspan='2' align='center'><em>Attributes</em></th></tr><tr bgcolor="#E3E3F3"> <th>ADDRESSBLOCKHOUSENUMBER</th> <td></td> </tr><tr bgcolor=""> <th>ADDRESSBUILDINGNAME</th> <td></td> </tr><tr bgcolor="#E3E3F3"> <th>ADDRESSPOSTALCODE</th> <td>829646</td> </tr><tr bgcolor=""> <th>ADDRESSSTREETNAME</th> <td>200, PONGGOL SEVENTEENTH AVENUE, SINGAPORE 829646</td> </tr><tr bgcolor="#E3E3F3"> <th>ADDRESSTYPE</th> <td></td> </tr><tr bgcolor=""> <th>DESCRIPTION</th> <td>Child Care Services</td> </tr><tr bgcolor="#E3E3F3"> <th>HYPERLINK</th> <td></td> </tr><tr bgcolor=""> <th>LANDXADDRESSPOINT</th> <td>0</td> </tr><tr bgcolor="#E3E3F3"> <th>LANDYADDRESSPOINT</th> <td>0</td> </tr><tr bgcolor=""> <th>NAME</th> <td>RAFFLES KIDZ @ PUNGGOL PTE LTD</td> </tr><tr bgcolor="#E3E3F3"> <th>PHOTOURL</th> <td></td> </tr><tr bgcolor=""> <th>ADDRESSFLOORNUMBER</th> <td></td> </tr><tr bgcolor="#E3E3F3"> <th>INC_CRC</th> <td>379D017BF244B0FA</td> </tr><tr bgcolor=""> <th>FMEL_UPD_D</th> <td>20200826094036</td> </tr><tr bgcolor="#E3E3F3"> <th>ADDRESSUNITNUMBER</th> <td></td> </tr></table></center> 
mpsz
class       : SpatialPolygonsDataFrame 
features    : 323 
extent      : 2667.538, 56396.44, 15748.72, 50256.33  (xmin, xmax, ymin, ymax)
crs         : +proj=tmerc +lat_0=1.36666666666667 +lon_0=103.833333333333 +k=1 +x_0=28001.642 +y_0=38744.572 +ellps=WGS84 +towgs84=0,0,0,0,0,0,0 +units=m +no_defs 
variables   : 15
names       : OBJECTID, SUBZONE_NO, SUBZONE_N, SUBZONE_C, CA_IND, PLN_AREA_N, PLN_AREA_C,       REGION_N, REGION_C,          INC_CRC, FMEL_UPD_D,     X_ADDR,     Y_ADDR,    SHAPE_Leng,    SHAPE_Area 
min values  :        1,          1, ADMIRALTY,    AMSZ01,      N, ANG MO KIO,         AM, CENTRAL REGION,       CR, 00F5E30B5C9B7AD8,      16409,  5092.8949,  19579.069, 871.554887798, 39437.9352703 
max values  :      323,         17,    YUNNAN,    YSSZ09,      Y,     YISHUN,         YS,    WEST REGION,       WR, FFCCF172717C2EAF,      16409, 50424.7923, 49552.7904, 68083.9364708,  69748298.792 
sg
class       : SpatialPolygonsDataFrame 
features    : 60 
extent      : 2663.926, 56047.79, 16357.98, 50244.03  (xmin, xmax, ymin, ymax)
crs         : +proj=tmerc +lat_0=1.36666666666667 +lon_0=103.833333333333 +k=1 +x_0=28001.642 +y_0=38744.572 +ellps=WGS84 +towgs84=0,0,0,0,0,0,0 +units=m +no_defs 
variables   : 4
names       : GDO_GID, MSLINK, MAPID,              COSTAL_NAM 
min values  :       1,      1,     0,             ISLAND LINK 
max values  :      60,     67,     0, SINGAPORE - MAIN ISLAND 

Notice that the geospatial data have been converted into their respective sp’s Spatial classes.

1.5.2 Converting the Spatial class into generic sp format

spatstat requires the analytical data in ppp object form. There is no direct way to convert a Spatial class into ppp object. First, the Spatial classes needs to be converted into Spatial object first.

The codes chunk below converts the Spatial classes into generic sp objects.

childcare_sp <- as(childcare, "SpatialPoints")
sg_sp <- as(sg, "SpatialPolygons")

Next, the sp objects properties are displayed as shown below.

childcare_sp
class       : SpatialPoints 
features    : 1545 
extent      : 11203.01, 45404.24, 25667.6, 49300.88  (xmin, xmax, ymin, ymax)
crs         : +proj=tmerc +lat_0=1.36666666666667 +lon_0=103.833333333333 +k=1 +x_0=28001.642 +y_0=38744.572 +ellps=WGS84 +towgs84=0,0,0,0,0,0,0 +units=m +no_defs 
sg_sp
class       : SpatialPolygons 
features    : 60 
extent      : 2663.926, 56047.79, 16357.98, 50244.03  (xmin, xmax, ymin, ymax)
crs         : +proj=tmerc +lat_0=1.36666666666667 +lon_0=103.833333333333 +k=1 +x_0=28001.642 +y_0=38744.572 +ellps=WGS84 +towgs84=0,0,0,0,0,0,0 +units=m +no_defs 

Challenge: What are the differences between Spatial* classes and generic sp object?

Note: Class Hierarchy:Spatial: Specific classes like SpatialPoints, SpatialLines, SpatialPolygons, etc., representing different types of spatial data. sp object: A more generic object from the sp package, can be used for broader purposes without specific geometric constraints

1.5.3 Converting the generic sp format into spatstat’s ppp format

Now, we will use as.ppp() function of spatstat to convert the spatial data into spatstat’s ppp object format.

childcare_ppp <- as.ppp(childcare_sf)
Warning in as.ppp.sf(childcare_sf): only first attribute column is used for
marks
childcare_ppp
Marked planar point pattern: 1545 points
marks are of storage type  'character'
window: rectangle = [11203.01, 45404.24] x [25667.6, 49300.88] units

Now, to plot childcare_ppp and examine the difference.

plot(childcare_ppp)
Warning in default.charmap(ntypes, chars): Too many types to display every type
as a different character
Warning: Only 10 out of 1545 symbols are shown in the symbol map

We take a quick look at the summary statistics of the newly created ppp object by using the code chunk below.

summary(childcare_ppp)
Marked planar point pattern:  1545 points
Average intensity 1.91145e-06 points per square unit

Coordinates are given to 11 decimal places

marks are of type 'character'
Summary:
   Length     Class      Mode 
     1545 character character 

Window: rectangle = [11203.01, 45404.24] x [25667.6, 49300.88] units
                    (34200 x 23630 units)
Window area = 808287000 square units

Notice the warning message about duplicates. In spatial point patterns analysis an issue of significance is the presence of duplicates. The statistical methodology used for spatial point patterns processes is based largely on the assumption that process are simple, that is, that the points cannot be coincident.

1.5.4 Handling duplicated points

We can check the duplication in a ppp object by using the code chunk below.

any(duplicated(childcare_ppp))
[1] FALSE

To count the number of co-incidence points, we will use the multiplicity() function as shown in the code chunk below.

multiplicity(childcare_ppp)
   [1] 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
  [38] 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
  [75] 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
 [112] 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
 [149] 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
 [186] 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
 [223] 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
 [260] 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
 [297] 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
 [334] 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
 [371] 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
 [408] 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
 [445] 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
 [482] 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
 [519] 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
 [556] 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
 [593] 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
 [630] 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
 [667] 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
 [704] 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
 [741] 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
 [778] 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
 [815] 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
 [852] 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
 [889] 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
 [926] 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
 [963] 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
[1000] 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
[1037] 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
[1074] 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
[1111] 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
[1148] 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
[1185] 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
[1222] 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
[1259] 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
[1296] 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
[1333] 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
[1370] 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
[1407] 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
[1444] 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
[1481] 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
[1518] 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

To know how many locations have more than one point event, we can use the code chunk below.

sum(multiplicity(childcare_ppp) > 1)
[1] 0

To view the locations of any duplicate point events, we will plot childcare data by using the code chunk below.

tmap_mode("view")
tmap mode set to interactive viewing
tm_shape(childcare) +
  tm_dots(alpha = 0.4,
          size = 0.05)

Challenge: How to spot the duplicate points from the map shown above?

Manual Checking (Visual): If the dataset is small, zoom in on clusters to check for over-plotting. Duplicates will appear as darker points due to overlaid symbols.

For duplicates, there are three ways to overcome this problem. The easiest way is to delete the duplicates. But, that will also mean that some useful point events will be lost.

The second solution is to use jittering, which will add a small perturbation to the duplicate points so that they do not occupy the exact same space.

The third solution is to make each point “unique” and then attach the duplicates of the points to the patterns as marks, as attributes of the points. Then you would need analytical techniques that take into account these marks.

The code chunk below implements the jittering approach.

childcare_ppp_jit <- rjitter(childcare_ppp,
                             retry = TRUE,
                             nsim = 1,
                             drop = TRUE)
any(duplicated(childcare_ppp_jit))
[1] FALSE

Code chunk result from above shows no duplciated points.

1.5.5 Creating owin object

When analysing spatial point patterns, it is a good practice to confine the analysis with a geographical area like Singapore boundary. In spatstat, an object called owin is specially designed to represent this polygonal region.

The code chunk below is used to covert sg SpatialPolygon object into owin object of spatstat.

sg_owin <- as.owin(sg_sf)

The ouput object can be displayed by using the plot() function

plot(sg_owin)

and using the summary() function of Base R.

summary(sg_owin)
Window: polygonal boundary
50 separate polygons (1 hole)
                 vertices         area relative.area
polygon 1 (hole)       30     -7081.18     -9.76e-06
polygon 2              55     82537.90      1.14e-04
polygon 3              90    415092.00      5.72e-04
polygon 4              49     16698.60      2.30e-05
polygon 5              38     24249.20      3.34e-05
polygon 6             976  23344700.00      3.22e-02
polygon 7             721   1927950.00      2.66e-03
polygon 8            1992   9992170.00      1.38e-02
polygon 9             330   1118960.00      1.54e-03
polygon 10            175    925904.00      1.28e-03
polygon 11            115    928394.00      1.28e-03
polygon 12             24      6352.39      8.76e-06
polygon 13            190    202489.00      2.79e-04
polygon 14             37     10170.50      1.40e-05
polygon 15             25     16622.70      2.29e-05
polygon 16             10      2145.07      2.96e-06
polygon 17             66     16184.10      2.23e-05
polygon 18           5195 636837000.00      8.78e-01
polygon 19             76    312332.00      4.31e-04
polygon 20            627  31891300.00      4.40e-02
polygon 21             20     32842.00      4.53e-05
polygon 22             42     55831.70      7.70e-05
polygon 23             67   1313540.00      1.81e-03
polygon 24            734   4690930.00      6.47e-03
polygon 25             16      3194.60      4.40e-06
polygon 26             15      4872.96      6.72e-06
polygon 27             15      4464.20      6.15e-06
polygon 28             14      5466.74      7.54e-06
polygon 29             37      5261.94      7.25e-06
polygon 30            111    662927.00      9.14e-04
polygon 31             69     56313.40      7.76e-05
polygon 32            143    145139.00      2.00e-04
polygon 33            397   2488210.00      3.43e-03
polygon 34             90    115991.00      1.60e-04
polygon 35             98     62682.90      8.64e-05
polygon 36            165    338736.00      4.67e-04
polygon 37            130     94046.50      1.30e-04
polygon 38             93    430642.00      5.94e-04
polygon 39             16      2010.46      2.77e-06
polygon 40            415   3253840.00      4.49e-03
polygon 41             30     10838.20      1.49e-05
polygon 42             53     34400.30      4.74e-05
polygon 43             26      8347.58      1.15e-05
polygon 44             74     58223.40      8.03e-05
polygon 45            327   2169210.00      2.99e-03
polygon 46            177    467446.00      6.44e-04
polygon 47             46    699702.00      9.65e-04
polygon 48              6     16841.00      2.32e-05
polygon 49             13     70087.30      9.66e-05
polygon 50              4      9459.63      1.30e-05
enclosing rectangle: [2663.93, 56047.79] x [16357.98, 50244.03] units
                     (53380 x 33890 units)
Window area = 725376000 square units
Fraction of frame area: 0.401

1.5.6 Combining point events object and owin object

In this last step of geospatial data wrangling, we will extract childcare events that are located within Singapore by using the code chunk below.

childcareSG_ppp <- childcare_ppp[sg_owin]

The output object combined both the point and polygon feature in one ppp object class as shown below.

summary(childcareSG_ppp)
Marked planar point pattern:  1545 points
Average intensity 2.129929e-06 points per square unit

Coordinates are given to 11 decimal places

marks are of type 'character'
Summary:
   Length     Class      Mode 
     1545 character character 

Window: polygonal boundary
50 separate polygons (1 hole)
                 vertices         area relative.area
polygon 1 (hole)       30     -7081.18     -9.76e-06
polygon 2              55     82537.90      1.14e-04
polygon 3              90    415092.00      5.72e-04
polygon 4              49     16698.60      2.30e-05
polygon 5              38     24249.20      3.34e-05
polygon 6             976  23344700.00      3.22e-02
polygon 7             721   1927950.00      2.66e-03
polygon 8            1992   9992170.00      1.38e-02
polygon 9             330   1118960.00      1.54e-03
polygon 10            175    925904.00      1.28e-03
polygon 11            115    928394.00      1.28e-03
polygon 12             24      6352.39      8.76e-06
polygon 13            190    202489.00      2.79e-04
polygon 14             37     10170.50      1.40e-05
polygon 15             25     16622.70      2.29e-05
polygon 16             10      2145.07      2.96e-06
polygon 17             66     16184.10      2.23e-05
polygon 18           5195 636837000.00      8.78e-01
polygon 19             76    312332.00      4.31e-04
polygon 20            627  31891300.00      4.40e-02
polygon 21             20     32842.00      4.53e-05
polygon 22             42     55831.70      7.70e-05
polygon 23             67   1313540.00      1.81e-03
polygon 24            734   4690930.00      6.47e-03
polygon 25             16      3194.60      4.40e-06
polygon 26             15      4872.96      6.72e-06
polygon 27             15      4464.20      6.15e-06
polygon 28             14      5466.74      7.54e-06
polygon 29             37      5261.94      7.25e-06
polygon 30            111    662927.00      9.14e-04
polygon 31             69     56313.40      7.76e-05
polygon 32            143    145139.00      2.00e-04
polygon 33            397   2488210.00      3.43e-03
polygon 34             90    115991.00      1.60e-04
polygon 35             98     62682.90      8.64e-05
polygon 36            165    338736.00      4.67e-04
polygon 37            130     94046.50      1.30e-04
polygon 38             93    430642.00      5.94e-04
polygon 39             16      2010.46      2.77e-06
polygon 40            415   3253840.00      4.49e-03
polygon 41             30     10838.20      1.49e-05
polygon 42             53     34400.30      4.74e-05
polygon 43             26      8347.58      1.15e-05
polygon 44             74     58223.40      8.03e-05
polygon 45            327   2169210.00      2.99e-03
polygon 46            177    467446.00      6.44e-04
polygon 47             46    699702.00      9.65e-04
polygon 48              6     16841.00      2.32e-05
polygon 49             13     70087.30      9.66e-05
polygon 50              4      9459.63      1.30e-05
enclosing rectangle: [2663.93, 56047.79] x [16357.98, 50244.03] units
                     (53380 x 33890 units)
Window area = 725376000 square units
Fraction of frame area: 0.401

Plotting the newly derived childcareSG_ppp

plot(childcareSG_ppp)
Warning in default.charmap(ntypes, chars): Too many types to display every type
as a different character
Warning: Only 10 out of 1545 symbols are shown in the symbol map

1.6 First-order Spatial Point Patterns Analysis

In this section, it will be on learning how to perform first-order Spatial Point Patterns Analysis (SPPA) by using spatstat package. The hands-on exercise will focus on:

  • deriving kernel density estimation (KDE) layer for visualising and exploring the intensity of point processes,
  • performing Confirmatory Spatial Point Patterns Analysis by using Nearest Neighbour statistics.

1.6.1 Kernel Density Estimation

In this section, it encompasses learnign how to compute the kernel density estimation (KDE) of childcare services in Singapore.

1.6.1.1 Computing kernel density estimation using automatic bandwidth selection method

The code chunk below computes a kernel density by using the following configurations of density() of spatstat:

  • bw.diggle() automatic bandwidth selection method. Other recommended methods are bw.CvL(), bw.scott() or bw.ppl().
  • The smoothing kernel used is gaussian, which is the default. Other smoothing methods are: “epanechnikov”, “quartic” or “disc”.
  • The intensity estimate is corrected for edge effect bias by using method described by Jones (1993) and Diggle (2010, equation 18.9). The default is FALSE.
kde_childcareSG_bw <- density(childcareSG_ppp,
                              sigma = bw.diggle,
                              edge = TRUE,
                            kernel = "gaussian")

The plot() function of Base R is then used to display the kernel density derived.

plot(kde_childcareSG_bw)

The density values of the output ranges from 0 to 0.000035 which is way too small to comprehend. This is because the default unit of measurement of svy21 is in metres. As a result, the density values computed is in “number of points per square meter”.

Before moving on to the next section, it is good to know that we can retrieve the bandwidth used to compute the kde layer by using the code chunk below.

bw <- bw.diggle(childcareSG_ppp)
bw
   sigma 
298.4095 

1.6.1.2 Rescalling KDE values

In the code chunk below, rescale.ppp() is used to covert the unit of measurement from metres to kilometres.

childcareSG_ppp.km <- rescale.ppp(childcareSG_ppp, 1000, "km")

Now, an attempt to re-run density() using the rescaled data set and plot the output kde map.

kde_childcareSG.bw <- density(childcareSG_ppp.km,
                              sigma = bw.diggle,
                              edge = TRUE,
                            kernel = "gaussian")
plot(kde_childcareSG.bw)

Notice that output image looks identical to the earlier version, the only changes are in the data values from the legend.

1.6.2 Working with different automatic bandwidth methods

Besides bw.diggle(), there are three other spatstat functions which can be used to determine the bandwidth, they are: bw.CvL(), bw.scott(), and bw.ppl().

This section will attempt to explore the bandwidth return with these automatic bandwidth calculation methods by using the code chunk below.

bw.CvL(childcareSG_ppp.km)
   sigma 
4.543278 
bw.scott(childcareSG_ppp.km)
 sigma.x  sigma.y 
2.224898 1.450966 
bw.ppl(childcareSG_ppp.km)
    sigma 
0.3897114 
bw.diggle(childcareSG_ppp.km)
    sigma 
0.2984095 

Baddeley et. (2016) suggested the use of the bw.ppl() algorithm because in their experience it tends to produce the more appropriate values when the pattern consists predominantly of tight clusters. But they also insist that if the purpose of one’s study is to detect a single tight cluster in the midst of random noise then the bw.diggle() method seems to work best.

The code chunk beow will be used to compare the output of using bw.diggle and bw.ppl methods.

kde_childcareSG.ppl <- density(childcareSG_ppp.km,
                               sigma = bw.ppl,
                               edge = TRUE,
                               kernel = "gaussian")
par(mfrow = c(1,2))
plot(kde_childcareSG.bw, main = "bw.diggle")
plot(kde_childcareSG.ppl, main = "bw.ppl")

1.6.3 Working with different kernel methods

As stated earlier the smoothing kernel used is gaussian as a default.

By default, the kernel method used in density.ppp() is gaussian. But there are three other options, namely: Epanechnikov, Quartic and Dics.

The code chunk below will be used to compute three more kernel density estimations by using these three kernel functions.

par(mfrow = c(2,2))
plot(density(childcareSG_ppp.km,
             sigma = bw.ppl,
             edge = TRUE,
             kernel = "gaussian"),
     main = "Gaussian")
plot(density(childcareSG_ppp.km,
             sigma = bw.ppl,
             edge = TRUE,
             kernel = "epanechnikov"),
     main = "Epanechnikov")
Warning in density.ppp(childcareSG_ppp.km, sigma = bw.ppl, edge = TRUE, :
Bandwidth selection will be based on Gaussian kernel
plot(density(childcareSG_ppp.km,
             sigma = bw.ppl,
             edge = TRUE,
             kernel = "quartic"),
     main = "Quartic")
Warning in density.ppp(childcareSG_ppp.km, sigma = bw.ppl, edge = TRUE, :
Bandwidth selection will be based on Gaussian kernel
plot(density(childcareSG_ppp.km,
             sigma = bw.ppl,
             edge = TRUE,
             kernel = "disc"),
     main = "Disc")
Warning in density.ppp(childcareSG_ppp.km, sigma = bw.ppl, edge = TRUE, :
Bandwidth selection will be based on Gaussian kernel

1.7 Fixed and Adaptive KDE

1.7.1 Computing KDE by using fixed bandwidth

Next, will be an attempt to compute a KDE layer by defining a bandwidth of 600 metres. Notice that in the code chunk below, the sigma value used is 0.6. This is because the unit of measurement of childcareSG_ppp.km object is in kilometres, hence the 600m translates to 0.6km.

kde_childcareSG_600 <- density(childcareSG_ppp.km,
                               sigma = 0.6,
                               edge = TRUE,
                              kernel = "gaussian")
plot(kde_childcareSG_600)

1.7.2 Computing KDE by using adaptive bandwidth

Fixed bandwidth method is very sensitive to highly skewed distributions of spatial point patterns over geographical units for example urban versus rural. One way to overcome this problem is by using adaptive bandwidth instead.

In this section, the objective is learning to derive adaptive kernel density estimation by using density.adaptive() of spatstat.

kde_childcareSG_adaptive <- adaptive.density(childcareSG_ppp.km,
                                             method = "kernel")
plot(kde_childcareSG_adaptive)

We can compare the fixed and adaptive kernel density estimation outputs by using the code chunk below.

par(mfrow = c(1,2))
plot(kde_childcareSG.bw, main = "Fixed bandwidth")
plot(kde_childcareSG_adaptive, main = "Adaptive bandwidth")

1.7.3 Converting KDE output into grid object

The results are the same, conversion will be done so that it is suitable for mapping purposes

kde_df <- as.data.frame(kde_childcareSG.bw)

coordinates(kde_df) <- ~x+y
gridded(kde_df) <- TRUE
Warning in points2grid(points, tolerance, round): grid has empty column/rows in
dimension 2
kde_spdf <- as(kde_df, "SpatialPixelsDataFrame")

spplot(kde_spdf)

1.7.3.1 Converting gridded output into raster

The gridded kernal density objects will be converted into RasterLayer object by using raster() of raster package.

kde_childcareSG_bw_raster <- raster(kde_childcareSG.bw)

The properties of kde_childcareSG_bw_raster RasterLayer are shown using the code chunk below:

kde_childcareSG_bw_raster
class      : RasterLayer 
dimensions : 128, 128, 16384  (nrow, ncol, ncell)
resolution : 0.4170614, 0.2647348  (x, y)
extent     : 2.663926, 56.04779, 16.35798, 50.24403  (xmin, xmax, ymin, ymax)
crs        : NA 
source     : memory
names      : layer 
values     : -8.476185e-15, 28.51831  (min, max)

Notice that the crs property is a NA value.

1.7.3.2 Assigning projection systems

The code chunk below will be used to include the CRS information on kde_childcareSG_bw_raster RasterLayer.

projection(kde_childcareSG_bw_raster) <- CRS("+init=EPSG:3414")
kde_childcareSG_bw_raster
class      : RasterLayer 
dimensions : 128, 128, 16384  (nrow, ncol, ncell)
resolution : 0.4170614, 0.2647348  (x, y)
extent     : 2.663926, 56.04779, 16.35798, 50.24403  (xmin, xmax, ymin, ymax)
crs        : +proj=tmerc +lat_0=1.36666666666667 +lon_0=103.833333333333 +k=1 +x_0=28001.642 +y_0=38744.572 +ellps=WGS84 +units=m +no_defs 
source     : memory
names      : layer 
values     : -8.476185e-15, 28.51831  (min, max)

Notice that the CRS property is completed.

1.7.4 Visualising the output in tmap

Finally, the code chunk below is used to display the raster in cartographic quality map using tmap package.

tm_shape(kde_childcareSG_bw_raster) + 
  tm_raster("layer", palette = "viridis") +
  tm_layout(legend.position = c("right", "bottom"), frame = FALSE)
legend.postion is used for plot mode. Use view.legend.position in tm_view to set the legend position in view mode.

Notice that the raster values are encoded explicitly onto the raster pixel using the values in “v”” field.

1.7.5 Comparing Spatial Point Patterns using KDE

In this section, we will learn how to compare KDE of childcares at Punggol, Tampines, Chua Chu Kang and Jurong West planning areas.

1.7.5.1 Extracting study area

The code chunk below will be used to extract the target planning areas.

pg <- mpsz_sf %>%
  filter(PLN_AREA_N == "PUNGGOL")
tm <- mpsz_sf %>%
  filter(PLN_AREA_N == "TAMPINES")
ck <- mpsz_sf %>%
  filter(PLN_AREA_N == "CHOA CHU KANG")
jw <- mpsz_sf %>%
  filter(PLN_AREA_N == "JURONG WEST")

Plotting target planning areas

par(mfrow = c(2,2))
plot(pg, main = "Punggol")
Warning: plotting the first 9 out of 15 attributes; use max.plot = 15 to plot
all

plot(tm, main = "Tampines")
Warning: plotting the first 9 out of 15 attributes; use max.plot = 15 to plot
all

plot(ck, main = "Choa Chu Kang")
Warning: plotting the first 10 out of 15 attributes; use max.plot = 15 to plot
all

plot(jw, main = "Jurong West")
Warning: plotting the first 9 out of 15 attributes; use max.plot = 15 to plot
all

1.7.5.2 Creating owin object

These sf objects will be converted into owin objects that is required by spatstat.

pg_owin = as.owin(pg)
tm_owin = as.owin(tm)
ck_owin = as.owin(ck)
jw_owin = as.owin(jw)

1.7.5.3 Combining childcare points and the study area

By using the code chunk below, we are able to extract childcare that are within the specific regions to do our analysis later on.

childcare_pg_ppp = childcare_ppp_jit[pg_owin]
childcare_tm_ppp = childcare_ppp_jit[tm_owin]
childcare_ck_ppp = childcare_ppp_jit[ck_owin]
childcare_jw_ppp = childcare_ppp_jit[jw_owin]

Next, rescale.ppp() function is used to transform the unit of measurement from metre to kilometre.

childcare_pg_ppp.km = rescale.ppp(childcare_pg_ppp, 1000, "km")
childcare_tm_ppp.km = rescale.ppp(childcare_tm_ppp, 1000, "km")
childcare_ck_ppp.km = rescale.ppp(childcare_ck_ppp, 1000, "km")
childcare_jw_ppp.km = rescale.ppp(childcare_jw_ppp, 1000, "km")

The code chunk below is then used to plot these four study areas and the locations of the childcare centres.

par(mfrow = c(2,2))
plot(childcare_pg_ppp.km, main = "Punggol")
Warning in default.charmap(ntypes, chars): Too many types to display every type
as a different character
Warning: Only 10 out of 60 symbols are shown in the symbol map
plot(childcare_tm_ppp.km, main = "Tampines")
Warning in default.charmap(ntypes, chars): Too many types to display every type
as a different character
Warning: Only 10 out of 89 symbols are shown in the symbol map
plot(childcare_ck_ppp.km, main = "Choa Chu Kang")
Warning in default.charmap(ntypes, chars): Too many types to display every type
as a different character
Warning: Only 10 out of 61 symbols are shown in the symbol map
plot(childcare_jw_ppp.km, main = "Jurong West")
Warning in default.charmap(ntypes, chars): Too many types to display every type
as a different character
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1.7.5.4 Computing KDE

The code chunk below will be used to compute the KDE of these four planning areas. bw.diggle method is used to derive the bandwidth of each plot.

par(mfrow = c(2,2))
plot(density(childcare_pg_ppp.km,
             sigma = bw.diggle,
             edge = TRUE,
             kernel = "gaussian"),
     main = "Punggol")
plot(density(childcare_tm_ppp.km,
             sigma = bw.diggle,
             edge = TRUE,
             kernel = "gaussian"),
     main = "Tampines")
plot(density(childcare_ck_ppp.km,
             sigma = bw.diggle,
             edge = TRUE,
             kernel = "gaussian"),
     main = "Choa Chu Kang")
plot(density(childcare_jw_ppp.km,
             sigma = bw.diggle,
             edge = TRUE,
             kernel = "gaussian"),
     main = "Jurong West")

1.7.5.5 Computing fixed bandwidth KDE

For comparison purposes, 250m bandwidth will be used.

par(mfrow = c(2,2))
plot(density(childcare_ck_ppp.km,
             sigma = 0.25,
             edge = TRUE,
             kernel = "gaussian"),
     main = "Choa Chu Kang")
plot(density(childcare_jw_ppp.km,
             sigma = 0.25,
             edge = TRUE,
             kernel = "gaussian"),
     main = "Jurong West")
plot(density(childcare_pg_ppp.km,
             sigma = 0.25,
             edge = TRUE,
             kernel = "gaussian"),
     main = "Punggol")
plot(density(childcare_tm_ppp.km,
             sigma = 0.25,
             edge = TRUE,
             kernel = "gaussian"),
     main = "Tampines")

1.8 Nearest Neighbour Analysis

In this section, the Clark-Evans test of aggregation will be performed for a spatial point pattern by using clarkevans.test() of statspat.

The test hypotheses are:

Ho = The distribution of childcare services are randomly distributed.

H1 = The distribution of childcare services are not randomly distributed.

The 95% confident interval will be used.

1.8.1 Testing spatial point patterns using Clark and Evans Test

clarkevans.test(childcareSG_ppp,
                correction = "none",
                clipregion = "sg_owin",
                alternative = c("clustered"),
                nsim = 99)

    Clark-Evans test
    No edge correction
    Z-test

data:  childcareSG_ppp
R = 0.55631, p-value < 2.2e-16
alternative hypothesis: clustered (R < 1)

Conclusions that can be drawn from the test result:

  • R = 0.55631: This value of R is significantly less than 1, indicating that the distribution of childcare services is clustered rather than random.

  • p-value < 2.2e-16: The extremely small p-value indicates that the observed clustering is statistically significant. In other words, there is a very strong evidence against the null hypothesis (Ho) of random distribution.

Conclusion

Given the test result (R = 0.55631) and the very small p-value, we reject the null hypothesis (Ho) at the 95% confidence level. The conclusion is that the distribution of childcare services is not randomly distributed; instead, the services are significantly clustered in certain areas.

This suggests that childcare services are more likely to be found near other childcare services, potentially due to factors: like population density, demand for services, or urban planning considerations.

1.8.2 Clark and Evans Test: Choa Chu Kang planning area

In the code chunk below, clarkevans.test() of spatstat is used to perform the Clark-Evans test of aggregation for childcare centre in Choa Chu Kang planning area.

clarkevans.test(childcare_ck_ppp,
                correction = "none",
                clipregion = NULL,
                alternative = c("two.sided"),
                nsim = 999)

    Clark-Evans test
    No edge correction
    Z-test

data:  childcare_ck_ppp
R = 0.9587, p-value = 0.5372
alternative hypothesis: two-sided

1.8.3 Clark and Evans Test: Tampines planning area

In the code chunk below, the similar test is used to analyse the spatial point patterns of childcare centre in Tampines planning area.

clarkevans.test(childcare_tm_ppp,
                correction="none",
                clipregion=NULL,
                alternative=c("two.sided"),
                nsim=999)

    Clark-Evans test
    No edge correction
    Z-test

data:  childcare_tm_ppp
R = 0.7902, p-value = 0.0001529
alternative hypothesis: two-sided